Transitional Kindergarten

Registration for the 2020-2021 ETK program school year is now closed.
Registration for the 2021-2022 ETK program will open in January 2021.

Transitional Kindergarten (TK)
Expanded Transitional Kindergarten (ETK)

Transitional Kindergarten (TK)

Transitional kindergarten (TK) is the first year of a two-year kindergarten program that uses a modified kindergarten curriculum that is age and developmentally appropriate. Pursuant to law, (EC 48000[c]), a child is eligible for transitional kindergarten if a child will have his or her fifth birthday on or after September 2 through December 2 of the school year in which they wish to be enrolled.

Expanded Transitional Kindergarten (ETK)

The goal of Expanded Transitional Kindergarten (ETK) is to provide the Transitional Kindergarten experience to underrepresented/socioeconomically disadvantaged children. ETK is designed for students who turn 5 years old after December 2, and before the last day, of the school year in which they wish to be enrolled. Family residency within the District boundary is a pre-requisite.

In March 2019, the Palo Alto Unified School District Board of Education approved the Expanded Transitional Kindergarten program (ETK) to include historically underrepresented/socioeconomically disadvantaged students, who turn five after December 2, and before the last day, of the school year in which they wish to be enrolled.

For the 2020-2021 school year, this includes children that were born after December 2, 2015 and before June 3, 2016. Registrations submitted to the PAUSD Registration Services office (25 Churchill Ave) will be reviewed for qualification under any one of the following criteria:

Students where both parents have not received a high school diploma
Students who are, or will be, eligible for the Free or Reduced-Priced Meal (FRPM) Program (also known as the National School Lunch Program)
Students who are migrant, homeless, or foster youth

Effects of early kindergarten admittance

To enroll your child in the Expanded Transitional Kindergarten program, please review the Advantages and Disadvantages of Early Kindergarten Admittance below, and then follow the process outlined on the Registration Page. Enrollment will be based upon a space-available basis.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Serves as a bridge between preschool and kindergarten, giving children more time for hands-on, interactive learning. Gives children the opportunity to spend time learning important social, emotional and academic skills that will help them succeed in kindergarten and beyond. Helps children adjust to the school environment and develop strong learning skills. Is the first year of a two-year kindergarten program. Prepares students to transition to kindergarten. Helps young children learn school routines and activities. Builds confidence and maturity. Provides opportunities to learn in a school setting. Enhances language and literacy skills. Improves social skills and self-control. Promotes communication skills with classmates and teachers. Improves behavior. Offers a developmental approach that emphasizes the social and emotional needs of children. Increases academic achievement in the primary grades, compared to students who do not attend ETK.	May be difficult for children with separation anxiety. May be frustrating and/or lead to a negative attitude towards school, if the child is not academically ready. Can be controversial, because some argue that it’s best to keep young children at home for most of the years before formal schooling begins. Does not guarantee long-term academic benefits, compared to students who do not attend ETK. Only provides students with a three-hour program, which may pose a challenge for those families needing additional child care.

Advantages

Disadvantages

Serves as a bridge between preschool and kindergarten, giving children more time for hands-on, interactive learning.
Gives children the opportunity to spend time learning important social, emotional and academic skills that will help them succeed in kindergarten and beyond.
Helps children adjust to the school environment and develop strong learning skills.
Is the first year of a two-year kindergarten program.
Prepares students to transition to kindergarten.
Helps young children learn school routines and activities.
Builds confidence and maturity.
Provides opportunities to learn in a school setting.
Enhances language and literacy skills.
Improves social skills and self-control.
Promotes communication skills with classmates and teachers.
Improves behavior.
Offers a developmental approach that emphasizes the social and emotional needs of children.
Increases academic achievement in the primary grades, compared to students who do not attend ETK.

May be difficult for children with separation anxiety.
May be frustrating and/or lead to a negative attitude towards school, if the child is not academically ready.
Can be controversial, because some argue that it’s best to keep young children at home for most of the years before formal schooling begins.
Does not guarantee long-term academic benefits, compared to students who do not attend ETK.
Only provides students with a three-hour program, which may pose a challenge for those families needing additional child care.

Adapted from tkcalifornia.org, cde.ca.gov, air.org, edsource.org, and carolinaparent.com. PAUSD Elementary Education – March 2019

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Transitional Kindergarten